Safe Operation Practices • Set-Up • Operation • Maintenance • Service • Troubleshooting • Warranty Operator’s Manual Self Propelled Mower — Model Series V560 WARNING READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS MACHINE. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. MTD LLC, P.O. BOX 361131 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136-0019 Printed In USA Form No.
1 To The Owner Thank You Thank you for purchasing a Lawn Mower manufactured by MTD LLC. It was carefully engineered to provide excellent performance when properly operated and maintained. Please read this entire manual prior to operating the equipment. It instructs you how to safely and easily set up, operate and maintain your machine. Please be sure that you, and any other persons who will operate the machine, carefully follow the recommended safety practices at all times.
Important Safe Operation Practices 2 WARNING: This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol.
12. A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries. 13. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping. Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling; release the handle immediately. 14. a. Step back from mower to fully extend your arms. b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing. c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way toward you. d. Repeat these steps as needed.
Service 3. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked, worn) Replace blade with the original equipment manufacture’s (O.E.M.) blade only, listed in this manual. “Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!” 4. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
Spark Arrestor Average Useful Life Warning: This machine is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush covered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.
or a corner of a building... a 1 5 ° slop or a fence post ine (r ep r e s e nts dl o n g d otte l Fold a Sight and hold this level with a vertical tree... 15° Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operate safely. e) WARNING: Do not operate your lawn mower on such slopes. Do not mow on inclines with a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). A riding mower could overturn and cause serious injury.
3 Assembly & Set-Up Contents of Carton • One Lawn Mower • One Lawn Mower Operator’s Manual • One Bottle of Oil • One Grass Catcher • One Engine Operator’s Manual One Hardware Pack • One Side Discharge Chute Assembly 2. NOTE: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Fill up gasoline and oil as instructed in the accompanying engine manual BEFORE operating your mower. Locate the hairpin clip on the weld pin on each side of lower handle. a. Handle 1.
3. The rope guide is attached to the right side of the upper handle. See Fig. 3-3. Loosen the wing nut which secures the rope guide. b. Slip plastic channel of grass bag over hooks on the frame. See Fig. 3-4. All the plastic channels except center top of bag attach from outside of bag. A A B C D C B Figure 3-4 Figure 3-3 4. a. Hold blade control against upper handle. b. Pull starter rope out of the engine. Release blade control. c. Slip starter rope into rope guide. d. Tighten wing nut.
Side Discharge Chute Your mower is shipped as a mulcher. To convert to side discharge, make sure grass catcher is off of the unit and rear discharge door is closed. 1. On the side of the mower, lift the mulching plug. See Figure 3-6. Each wheel has a height adjustment lever to change the cutting height of the mower. Refer to Fig. 3-7. 1. Depress height adjustment lever towards wheel. 2. Slide lever to desired position for a change in cutting height. 3. Release lever towards deck.
4 Controls and Features Blade Control Drive Control Recoil Starter Side Discharge Chute Mulch Plug Cutting Height Adjustment Levers Figure 4-1 Blade Control Mulch Plug The blade control is attached to the upper handle of the mower. Depress and squeeze it against the upper handle to operate the unit. Release it to stop engine and blade. The mulch plug is used for mulching purposes.
5 Operation Starting Engine WARNING: Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting engine or operating mower. Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower. 2 3 Follow the set of instructions pertaining to your unit. Refer to engine manual for help with the engine.
Using Your Lawn Mower Using Grass Catcher Be sure lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage lawn mower or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others. You can use the grass catcher to collect clippings while you are operating the mower. 1. 1. Attach grass catcher following instructions in the “Assembly & Set-Up” section.
6 Maintenance & Adjustments Maintenance 2. Lubricate the wheels at least once a season with light oil (or motor oil). If wheels are removed for any reason, lubricate surface of the pivot arm and inner surface of the wheel with light oil. See Fig. 6-1. General Recommendations • Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance. 3. • The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence.
Engine Care Replacing Rear Flap A list of key engine maintenance jobs required for good performance by the mower is given below. Follow the accompanying engine manual for a detailed list and instructions. 1. • Maintain oil level as instructed in engine manual. • Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal conditions. Clean every few hours under extremely dusty conditions. Poor engine performance and flooding usually indicates that the air cleaner should be serviced.
7 Service Blade Care 5. Lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil. Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft. Place the blade on the adapter such that the side of the blade marked “Bottom” (or with part number) faces the ground when the mower is in the operating position. Make sure that the blade is aligned and seated on the blade adapter flanges. 6. Place blade bell support on the blade.
3. Press inward on tab on the engine baffle to release it from the baffle bracket. See Fig. 7-3. 5. Replace with new belt, making sure belt is firmly seated on engine pulley while pulling from the other side and sliding it around the transmission pulley. 6. Reattach engine baffle and reassemble blade as described in the previous section. 7. Turn mower back over and make sure belt is seated on the transmission pulley.
8 Troubleshooting Problem Engine Fails to start Cause Remedy 1. Blade control disengaged. 1. Engage blade control. 2. Spark plug boot disconnected. 2. Connect wire to spark boot. 3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel. 3. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. 4. Engine not primed (if equipped with primer). 4. Prime engine as instructed in the Operation section. 5. Faulty spark plug. 5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace. 6. Blocked fuel line. 6. Clean fuel line. 7. Engine flooded. 7.
8 Troubleshooting Problem Uneven cut Mower will not self propel Cause Remedy 1. Wheels not positioned correctly. 1. Place all four wheels in same height position (if equipped with individual height adjusters). 2. Dull blade. 2. Sharpen or replace blade. 1. Belt not installed properly. 1. Check belt for proper pulley installation and movement. 2. Debris clogging drive operation. 2. Stop engine, disconnect spark plug boot, and clean out debris. 3. Damaged or worn belt. 3.
Model Series V560 4 5 8 18 17 1 12 6 9 11 14 20 24 10 43 21 13 23 28 16 22 15 3 7 42 41 2 40 36 30 31 39 34 35 33 26 25 29 33 29 32 27 38 19 37 19 37 20 38
Model Series V560 Ref No. Part Number Description Ref No. Part Number Description 23 732-04090A Torsion Spring - RH Rear Baffle 21” Rd. 24 747-04588 Pivot Rod Screw, 1/4-15 x 1.
Model Series V560 10 9 8 7 35 4 12 17 3 32 1 6 5 33 37 30 31 26 17 29 34 11 2 26 27 17 28 16 13 19 14 24 36 20 17 21 22 23 25 17 15 Wheel Treads 18 Pin Bar 22 Zag Tread
Model Series V560 Ref No. Part Number Description Ref No. Part Number Description 734-04093 Rear Wheel, 12 x 2.125, Zag 20 710-04531 Screw, 1/4-20 x .390 21 717-1762 Gear 14T RH FWD RH 717-1761 Gear 14T LH FWD LH 22 715-0221 Dowel Pin 23 782-7551A Wheel Dust Cap 24 716-0102 Snap Ring Chute Deflector Adapter 25 736-0474 Flat Washer Torsion Spring 26 710-0216 Hex Screw, 3/8-16 x.
MANUFACTURER’S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR The limited warranty set forth below is given by MTD LLC with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in the United States and/or its territories and possessions, and by MTD Products Limited with respect to new merchandise purchased and used in Canada and/ or its territories and possessions (either entity respectively, “MTD”).
